Multiple U.S. officials have revealed that President Trump has ordered a new round of strikes against Iran, aimed at forcing Tehran back to the negotiating table. The new operation could launch as early as this weekend and is expected to last several days.
The Wall Street Journal reported on the 31st, citing U.S. officials, that Trump has ordered a new wave of attacks against Iran with the goal of making Tehran surrender. This wave of attacks could happen as soon as this weekend and is expected to last for several days.
At the same time, several sources also told CBS News that the U.S. and Israel are planning what may be one of the most intense bombardments yet against targets related to Iran’s energy infrastructure, with strikes potentially lasting throughout the weekend.
Regarding the situation with Iran, earlier on the 31st during a cabinet meeting at Camp David that was open to media photography, Trump said: “We will hit them hard. Sooner or later, they’ll say, ‘We really can't hold on any longer.’”
He said that he has lost confidence in Iran, noting that just a few days ago, Iran launched five missiles at a U.S. base in Jordan, all of which were intercepted by U.S. forces, but that at the time both sides were still in negotiations.
The Wall Street Journal pointed out that officials revealed that for weeks, Trump has privately told his staff that the Iranians are “crazy,” and has complained to close associates that the temporary peace deal is ultimately meaningless, something he knew would not work from the beginning.
Since the U.S. and Israel launched joint military actions against Iran in late February, the war is about to enter its sixth month, but neither the U.S. nor Iran seems willing to back down. Trump continues to insist that Iran must abandon its nuclear program and give up control of the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran remains firm on these two points and will not yield.